Match Details
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21 |
Hakata No Mori, Fukuoka
Kick off times:
2:05pm
(Local) Sun 8 Jun
4:05pm
(AEDT) Sun 8 Jun
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42 |
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Australia A has won their opening iRB Pacific Nation Cup encounter against Japan, 42-21, in Fukuoka this afternoon.
The Australians ran in six tries, including a brace to Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin, to overwhelm a gallant Japanese outfit and claim a bonus point in front of 7,493 fans in southern Japan.
Other tries to Van Humphries, Mark Gerrard, Morgan Turinui and Sam Norton-Knight capped off an impressive hit-out for coach Phil Mooney’s team.
Japan opened the scoring with an early drop goal but the lead lasted only until the 15th minute when Norton-Knight broke through in midfield and found Turinui on his outside to score the Australian’s first try. Gerrard converted for a 7-3 lead.
The Aussies then extended their lead with a superb team try that began with a diving short pass from Timana Tahu to Turinui who found Gerrard unmarked on the wing to score.
Japan were fortunate not to go further behind only minutes later when Matt Carraro was ruled to have crossed the touchline before grounding the ball and Kimlin had a try disallowed for a knock-on.
Although the Brumbies player was not to be denied a try on his debut and showed great pace to run on to Norton-Knight’s short ball and streak away for his teams third score.
The visitors wrapped up the points right on half time after Kimlin broke through and found fellow lock Van Humphries, who had just enough pace to dive over. Gerrard converted from the sideline for a 28-3 half time lead.
The hosts again opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty goal in the 42nd minute, before Norton-Knight showed good skills to charge-down a clearing kick and regather to score under the posts.
Another Japanese penalty reduced the score to 35-9, and the Australians found themselves down to 13 men when Guy Shepherdson and Julian Salvi were sin binned within minutes of each other.
The loss of two players, as well as fatigue from two days of traveling, showed on the Australian forwards who were unable to prevent replacement Tomochi Tanuguchi t from scoring off a driving maul in 61st minute.
Tanuguchi then made it two tries in two minutes and the hosts suddenly found themselves in with a chance at 35-21 against tiring opposition with 15 minutes remaining.
However a slick backline move featuring winger Francis Fainfo eventually saw the ball find Kimlin who only had to dive over for his second try. Gerrard again added the extras to seal a flawless goal kicking display and a 42-21 victory.
Australia A’s next match is against Samoa in Apia on Sunday (15 June)
Australia A 42 (Peter Kimlin 2, Van Humphries, Morgan Turinui, Mark Gerrard, Sam Norton Knight tries; Gerrard 6 cons) defeated Japan 21 (Tomoaki Taniguchi 2; James Arlidge cons, 2 pen; James Arlidge DG).
Half-time: Aus A 28-3.
Crowd: 7493
